Archives for September 2011

Petition Against Federal Express’s Decision NOT to Provide Overnight Service to Angel Fire, New Mexico

The community of Angel Fire and the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce strongly protest the decision of Federal Express to withdraw overnight express service from Angel Fire and vicinity. Our community, and our business members have been utilizing and relying on this service for years. In this Global Economy we must have the ability to compete. We, the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce, and all of the undersigned request re-initiating overnight express service for Angel Fire.

Please, if you choose to also sign this petition, come by the Chamber office at 3407 Mountain View Blvd. in Angel Fire before Oct.7th. If you are remote either mail or fax us your signature to add to the petition. Give your name, business/status, phone number, and address. You may mail it to Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 547, Angel Fire, NM 88710, or fax it to 575-377-3034 attn: FedEx Petition

I love my job! This week I learned to express my inner artist using yupo paper and watercolor. My son Marcus and I had the privilege of taking a one-hour painting class from artist Katherine McDermott. The lesson we took is the same class that she teaches to the veterans who come to Angel Fire for the Veteran’s Healing and Wellness Retreats. I know now first hand how making art with this technique is the key to relaxing creativity. We learned about colors and blending and wiping the page clean if what you have painted doesn’t make you happy. That in itself made me happy! So we smiled and giggled and relaxed and focused on whatever designs the brush, color, water, and paper revealed.

Katherine, owner operator of the Angel Fire ArtSpace began her art teaching career in Angel Fire in 1998 when she was asked to take over a weekly art class at the Community Center. She had become friends with other local artists, one of whom saw her ability to teach. Then in 2003 she and Vicki Leahy opened the art gallery. Shortly afterward a group of about ten local artists had the desire to show their together in one gallery. The first of these opened in the Mountain View Mall. Katherine, now sole owner of the Angel Fire ArtSpace still offers the artwork of more than a dozen local and regional New Mexico emerging Fine Artists, as well as six of the original artists. The gallery includes fine art, jewelry, pottery, and sculpture. You can find a listing of the artists on her website, www.angelfireartspace.com. She envisions her “artists” part of her family and works to provide a positive Gallery experience for the artist and customer alike.

Angel Fire ArtSpace is now located in Centro Plaza. The retail end of her business sometimes leaves her little time for painting. So as a solution Katherine’s studio will soon move into her gallery. This will allow her to be able to paint her pieces, represent and showcase other artists as well as herself, and still hold her art classes and workshops. If you are interested in an art class or purchasing artwork go by her gallery, visit her website or call for an appointment. She can be reached at 575-377-6273 or 877-377-6560.

This week our featured I Know Jo business is Stray Hearts Animal Shelter With Stray Arts 2nd-Hand Gallery

Man’s best friend, woman’s constant companion, a child’s first responsibility in caring for another living being, our animal fur friends seem to jump into the hearts of those who adopt them into their families. I spent time yesterday with Dave Noll, Executive Director of Stray Hearts Animal Shelter in Taos. This non-profit organization, run on a bare minimum staff, depends largely on countless volunteers and donations. The shelter itself consists of a main building and several “pod” buildings that I thought were greenhouses. Who knew? These out buildings house wonderfully large kennels for the animals to stay in at the shelter while they wait for you to come adopt them. Stray Hearts has the capacity to house 75 adult dogs and 50 adult cats, as well as puppies and kittens. I received a tour through the shelter as workers and volunteers alike cared for and generally loved on these animals. What an impressive operation! Operations manager Cynthia Shafin, and Anna-Lisa, Julie, and Miranda were happy to tell me of their various and constant fund raising efforts and adoption events. Check out our Chamber Calendar of Events for information or the Taos newspaper for details.

I also went to the Stray Arts Gallery, a second hand Art Gallery where 100% of the profits are given to the Stray Hearts Animal Shelter. Dave explained to me that the gallery opened in Nov. 2009 after the Board of Directors had tossed around the idea of a second hand store to help supplement the shelter financially. But they knew of many other second hand stores in Taos. Tom Wheeler, an artist on the board suggested a second hand Art Gallery. Thus Stray Arts was born. In the store you’ll find works from artists from all over the world. They have original artwork, some of which has never been sold at another gallery. They have jewelry, pottery, collectibles, cards, t-shirts, and a donation jar. The Stray Arts Gallery is managed by Rake Satori and an all volunteer staff. Approximately 90% of the artwork is donated and about 10% is on consignment.

Stray Hearts Shelter and Stray Arts Gallery welcome donations. And they would love for you to volunteer. They need pet walkers, kennel cleaners, office help, sales people at the gallery, etc. etc. They also really invite you out to adopt a pet! The cost is approximately $100. for a dog and $75. for a cat. The costs pertain to the shots that the shelter provides, neutering, the check-ups and any surgery they may have required when they get to the shelter, vaccinations, room and board, etc. They will also provide your pet a micro chip for $10.00 if you adopt, $20.00 for the public.

Adjacent to the shelter at 1200 St. Francis, they have opened the only “Off Leash Pet Park” in Taos. Oct. 15th will be a fund raising event, Bark in the Park, to raise money for its landscaping. It is free and open to the public! Go visit, go volunteer, go buy art, go adopt a pet!

This week I am really excited. I had the privileged to do my story on Ronda Harvey, of Accounting Associates. Not only do I get to introduce you to her business, a new member of the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce, I also get to say that she is our new accountant. We are very happy to welcome her to our team!

Two years ago Ronda and husband Brian decided that they wanted to live in the mountains. They set out on a trip from Iowa to find just the right location. Starting in Colorado Springs they made their way through southern Colorado, stopping at various towns along the way. With two days left and no intentions of visiting New Mexico, they decided it would be fun to drive the Enchanted Circle and see Wheeler Peak. Ronda told me that they spent the night in Angel Fire and knew without doubt in the morning that this was where they wanted to live. Their search was over. The Harvey family, Brian, Ronda and two daughters now make Angel Fire their home. (They also have a son, out of college living in Kansas City) They all hope to become skiers this winter!

When the decision was made to move, many of Ronda’s clients asked if she could still do their accounting. So the next year was spent figuring the logistics of how she would be able to continue to serve her loyal clients remotely as well as build her business in Angel Fire. She and brother, Rod Bunnell, started Accounting Associates of Indianola in 1998. Their main focus is on small business. They are dedicated to helping small business owners with bookkeeping, business start-ups, business expansions, and helping them learn to make good financial decisions. They offer Quick Books training and tax return services. She emphasized their goal of being customer service oriented. She doesn’t want the small business owner to get lost in the customer list of larger firms. At Accounting Associates they know you by name. They also do taxes for individuals.

So next time you are in need of accounting services of any kind, please give Accounting Associates a call at 575-377-7787 or email ronda@accountingiowa.com.